MOST OF MY FISHING HAS BEEN IN SHALLOW WATER IN THE EVERGLADES WHICH REQUIRES A FLOATAING LINE.I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH SINKING LINES FOR STEELHEAD..WHAT IS THE BEST FLY LINE AND LEADER SETUP FOR STEELHEAD????

Lee,

You seem to have asked more question than you realize. There is no one best line for steelhead. The best, or preferred, choice varies according to where, when, and under what conditions you're fishing. With that qualifier, I'll offer my thumbnail sketch of steelheading essentials.

If I had to chose only one outfit to fish for steelhead, it would be an 8 weight rod of 9' or longer. Fully 99% of my fishing is satisfied with 3 lines. They are a floating, a 10' Hi-D sink-tip, and my home spliced 15' Hi-Speed, Hi-D sink-tip, all in wieght forward configuration. The first two lines are mostly for summer-run fishing, and the latter for winter-run, with some exceptions, depending on water conditions like: high, low; slow, fast; cool, cold.

Have fun making your selections, and good luck fishing.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

Lee, generally speaking winter time most people use sink tips and alot more people use dry lines in the summer and fall. I would say that a sink tip in the 140 grain wt. range plus or minus 10 grains would get you through the winter just fine. As for the summer and fall some of the folks still use sink tips and most say that they use a light one. Personaly I have no intrest in fishing with a sink tip in the summer but on ocasion I will let my fly sink but that only puts it down a mere 1 to 3 inches. Granted I might not get as many fish as someone dredging the bottom but I don't want to catch that many fish I just want to catch the ones that I get my way.

Lee, do your self a favor and get the book titeled " Steelhead fly fishing" by Trey Coombs.. He will answer any questions you may have about line set up. Its also a good read besides the information he provides.

I use a 7/8 rod (9'6") w/WF 8 lines. I also use three lines. Full floating, one with a 15' Type III Sink tip and another with a Type IV sink tip. I use "factory" made sink tip lines, because I do not enjoy using looped heads. As for leaders I use maxima 12 lb test with an 8lb leader. It's lighter than some folks use, but each person has their own style. Good Luck and have fun!!!

I use a 7/8 rod (9'6") w/WF 8 lines. I also use three lines. Full floating, one with a 15' Type III Sink tip and another with a Type IV sink tip. I use "factory" made sink tip lines, because I do not enjoy using looped heads. As for leaders I use maxima 12 lb test with an 8lb leader. It's lighter than some folks use, but each person has their own style. Good Luck and have fun!!!

Lee, I'd look into a Rio Versitip system or Airflo system which will provide you a WF line and the following tips- Floating, intermediate clear,typ 3 & typ 6.